Contracts have been awarded to Story Contracting, AmcoGiffen, SPL Powerlines, Siemens, Rail Systems Alliance Scotland and WSP to deliver 22.4 single track kilometers of electrified railway, as part of the Scottish Government’s wider plans to decarbonize passenger services across Scotland’s Railway.
Over the next two years, engineers will deliver electrification of the route between East Kilbride and Glasgow; a relocated accessible station at Hairmyres; an upgraded, accessible station at East Kilbride; accessibility works at other stations, and a 1.4km extension of the existing loop at Hairmyres.
Electric services will be introduced on the East Kilbride line following the completion of the project in December 2025 and will offer enhanced operational performance and flexibility of service on the route, Network Rail noted.
Gerry McQuade, capital delivery director for Network Rail, said, “The awarding of these contracts is a significant milestone for the East Kilbride Enhancement Project and signals the start of the main delivery phase. We will work closely with contractors, train operators and other stakeholders to deliver these enhancements in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible, while minimising disruption for both lineside communities and passengers.”
Bill Reeve, Transport Scotland’s director of rail added, “These contract awards demonstrate real progress on the East Kilbride Enhancement Project following the recent announcement, by the Minister for Transport, of full funding for the project. Communities along the route will be able to see at first-hand construction get underway in earnest as we move forward with this key Scottish Government investment in rail decarbonization.”
The East Kilbride Enhancement Project follows on from the electrification of the Glasgow-Barrhead line, which will see the introduction of ScotRail Class 380 electric passenger trains on the route from December 2023.